Is your child getting sick?
I'm sure everyone hates to see their child sick. For me, I immediately go into super mom mode and do everything possible to make my daughter feel well. So I thought I would share some simple basic tips I use when my daughter is not feeling well.
- Give a warm shower or bath. Normally when I notice my daughter is "off", I give her a warm bath. I then will put warm clothes or pajamas on her. I often will sneak a small amount of essential oils or Vicks vapor rub on the bottom of her feet, chest and or back.
- Feed them whole foods like fruits and vegetables. Making a soup from homemade bone broth with chopped carrots, celery, and even a little kale is the way to health in my household.
- Make sure they are drinking enough fluids. Dehydration is very dangerous and can happen quickly in small children. Fluids also thin out mucus which is beneficial in dealing with a cold or congestion. This is one of the few times I allow my daughter to drink fruit juice. I will then add herbs or vitamins to the juice to make them more beneficial. You can also mix some juice with an herbal tea or just simply make an herbal tea and let them drink that throughout the day. Good flavors for a cold is ginger, peppermint or lemon. (Only herbal teas, not ones with black or even green tea leaves, both contain caffeine. )
- Plenty of sleep and rest. When we sleep our body heals itself.
- Increase probiotics and fermented foods. Probiotics provide good bacteria in our bodies. This bacteria is beneifical for digestion but more importantly our immune system.
- Use herbs and natural remedies. You want to know how many people have died using herbs that were prescribed by someone who is actually licensed nationally and within their state? None, thats right none. Most negative side effects from herbs and supplements are because patients self prescribed them. Herbs are safe and very effective for children when prescribed by a licensed herbalist. Herbs can be used for respiratory disorders(colds, cough, wheezing, allergies asthma), digestive issues (constipation, diarrhea , stomach aches), sleep issues and even some pain conditions. A licensed herbalist will also look for red flags and refer you and your child to a MD if the condition is severe and needs medical attention.
- Use acupressure and massage. Light massage on a child's chest and upper back is great for colds. You can also look up some other great areas for immunity such as the acupuncture point ST36 which is located on both legs.
- Act quick! Who cares if the laundry needs to get done, its time to take care of your child! The sooner you put these tips into play the quicker your little one will be feeling back to themselves. It's much easier to treat a runny nose and slight cough then it is chest tightness and shortness of breath.
*As always if you child's symptoms are severe or do not improve after a couple of days, call their physician.
